Inside Agave & Rye Craft Taqueria's Epic New Rookwood Location

Covington-based craft taqueria and tequila and bourbon hall Agave & Rye is expanding its regional fleet to share its "epic dining experience" with three new cities and neighborhoods.

The eatery is opening its fifth location on Sept. 20 in Rookwood, and two additional restaurants in Troy, Ohio and New Albany, Indiana this fall.

Currently, Agave & Rye has four locations — its original eatery in Covington, a Liberty Township location, and two Kentucky restaurants; one in Louisville and one in Lexington.

“These are very exciting moves for Agave & Rye,” said Yavonne Sarber, founder and CEO of the restaurant chain, in a press release. “We are looking forward to bringing our restaurant and vibrant energy to more communities throughout Ohio and Indiana. It’s always our goal to integrate within the community, treating it as if it’s our home.”

The taqueria has become rather popular since its inception in 2018. Diners flock to the restaurant to enjoy its vibrant murals and funky decor while chowing down on unique tacos, with proteins including kangaroo, duck, crab cakes, butter-poached lobster, crispy cauliflower, salt and pepper fries and fried chicken — in addition to more familiar bases like steak, pork carnitas and mahi mahi.

They also offer an impressive selection of tequilas, bourbons and craft cocktails — and at their Rookwood location, a generous selection of wine.

The team behind Agave & Rye also opened their new neighboring Covington eatery Papi Jocho’s Street Dogs and Cantina in May in the space that was formerly occupied by Sugar Whiskey Sis, which they also owned.

Agave & Rye's Rookwood restaurant is located at 3825 Edwards Road. For more info, visit agaveandrye.com.

Photos by Hailey Bollinger
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Exterior of Agave & Rye Rookwood
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Exterior of Agave & Rye Rookwood
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Interior of the eatery
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Interior of the eatery
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"Pick 3" chip and dip sampler, with guacamole, queso and pineapple salsa
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"Pick 3" chip and dip sampler, with guacamole, queso and pineapple salsa
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Dining room
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Dining room
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Agave & Rye's patio
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Agave & Rye's patio
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Game room with vintage arcade games
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Game room with vintage arcade games
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Hibiscus habanero margarita ($12) and the jalapeno pineapple rita ($12)
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Hibiscus habanero margarita ($12) and the jalapeno pineapple rita ($12)
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Spacious dining room
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Spacious dining room
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Outdoor patio seating
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Outdoor patio seating
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Outdoor lounge seating
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Outdoor lounge seating
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Patio space
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Patio space
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OG Margarita pitcher ($31)
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OG Margarita pitcher ($31)
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Agave & Rye's spacious string-lit patio at night
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Agave & Rye's spacious string-lit patio at night
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The Crown Jewel: butter-poached lobster, shiitake mushrooms, mac and cheese, truffle oil and shavings and shaved green onions ($11.50)
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The Crown Jewel: butter-poached lobster, shiitake mushrooms, mac and cheese, truffle oil and shavings and shaved green onions ($11.50)
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The Easy Ranchero: Salt and pepper fries, queso, salsa, white cheddar, fried egg, cowboy candy ($5.50)
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The Easy Ranchero: Salt and pepper fries, queso, salsa, white cheddar, fried egg, cowboy candy ($5.50)
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Bar and dining room
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Bar and dining room
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The bar at Agave & Rye's Rookwood location
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The bar at Agave & Rye's Rookwood location
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The Mouthy South: Waffle fritters, maple syrup, fried chicken, sweet and spicy bacon, tequila blueberry and raspberry compote ($7)
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The Mouthy South: Waffle fritters, maple syrup, fried chicken, sweet and spicy bacon, tequila blueberry and raspberry compote ($7)
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Sweet corn fritters with serrano aioli ($5)
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Sweet corn fritters with serrano aioli ($5)
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Seating around kitchen
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Seating around kitchen
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